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Legislature gives first nod to main budget amid simmering disagreements
LINCOLN — The Nebraska Legislature, flush with federal cash, gave first-round approval Thursday to the Appropriations Committee’s $9.9 billion main budget bill for the two years that end in mid-2023. And they did so without making changes to it. The bill’s advancement by a 40-6 margin papered over simmering divisions among senators about the best […]
City and private library partners seek public input on new main branch
The City of Omaha and its private partners are seeking input on the next main branch of the Omaha Public Library, envisioned for the Do Space site near 72nd and Dodge Streets. City officials, the Omaha Public Library Foundation, Do Space, Community Information Trust and Heritage Omaha say they want people to participate in a […]
Foley calls Ricketts’ criticism of Herbster endorsement a compliment
LINCOLN — Nebraska Lt. Gov. Mike Foley leaned into a budding political rift Tuesday between him and his boss, Gov. Pete Ricketts. Foley endorsed Republican Charles Herbster for governor and called Ricketts’ criticism of his choice “a compliment.” “I’m flattered,” Foley said. He said the governor’s response shows his value to Nebraska’s “pro-life” voters. Foley […]
VA report recommends building new hospital in Omaha, clinics in Fremont, Bluffs
A new hospital in Omaha would be built as part of a national streamlining of VA medical facilities recommended in a report Monday from VA Secretary Denis McDonough. The report was the first step in a years-long process to revamp health care offered through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and likely faces significant obstacles […]
Federal earmarks to fund programs in La Vista, South Sarpy, Omaha and South Sioux City
LA VISTA — Southern Sarpy County will get $3.5 million closer to completing a massive sewer project that opens the less developed part of the county to new housing, businesses and jobs. North Omaha and the people who visit, shop and dine in its historic 24th Street corridor will see $3 million in improvements for new […]
Pillen says no to GOP primary debates with reporters
Nebraska Republicans might not see all their top governor candidates on the same debate stage before the May 10 primary election. University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen, who has turned down debates thus far, said no to another one this week, on NTV News, based in Axtell, Nebraska. His campaign told the central Nebraska TV […]
Offutt airmen are at center of lawsuit challenging COVID-19 vaccine mandate for military members
BELLEVUE — Kansas lawyer Kris Kobach came to Nebraska’s Offutt Air Force Base on Tuesday to announce that he was filing a federal lawsuit for 36 Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard members he said have been denied religious exemptions to the military-mandated COVID-19 vaccine. Kobach, representing the Alliance for Free Citizens, […]
More than $130,000 in dark money targets Flood in GOP race with Fortenberry
LINCOLN — Dark money is filling in the TV advertising gap between indicted U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry and his top primary election opponent, State Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk. Flood’s campaign had spent nearly $240,000 on TV ads by late February, based on purchase agreements with TV stations. The Fortenberry campaign, over the same span, spent […]
Thibodeau: Keep Nebraska Board of Education elected, accountable
OMAHA — Former State Sen. Theresa Thibodeau of Omaha, a Republican running for governor, said last week that she wants Nebraska to keep its elected state Board of Education. Thibodeau criticized a proposed state constitutional amendment that would eliminate the state Board of Education and move the state Department of Education under the governor’s control. […]
Lawsuit is dismissed alleging Pillen farm hired undocumented workers
A former employee’s lawsuit alleging that Nebraska gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen’s hog farm knowingly hired undocumented workers was dismissed Wednesday with prejudice. The former employee dropped his case against Pillen Family Farms and agreed not to file it again. Both sides agreed to pay their own court costs. It was not immediately clear whether the […]
Five races to watch from Tuesday’s candidate filing deadline in Nebraska
Familiar names and few surprises marked the last day of filing to run for public office in Nebraska’s May 10 primary election. Here are five races to watch: State Board of Education, District 5: Helen Raikes of Ashland, a retired professor of early childhood education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the widow of former […]
Herbster and Pillen share the lead but have weak spots with voters, poll indicates
The two best-funded candidates in Nebraska’s Republican primary race for governor each has a vulnerability that polling shows could cost them significant voter support. The Nebraska Examiner obtained a Feb. 8-11 poll of more than 900 likely GOP primary voters, conducted for Neilan Strategy Group of Lincoln. It tested likely attacks against candidates Charles Herbster […]